hydraulic

adjective

hy·​drau·​lic hī-ˈdrȯ-lik How to pronounce hydraulic (audio)
1
: operated, moved, or effected by means of water
2
a
: of or relating to hydraulics
hydraulic engineer
b
: of or relating to water or other liquid in motion
hydraulic erosion
3
: operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid (such as water or oil) is forced through a comparatively small orifice or through a tube
hydraulic brakes
4
: hardening or setting under water
hydraulic cement
hydraulically adverb

Did you know?

By means of a hydraulic lift, the driver can lift the bed of a dump truck with the touch of a button. He might also repair the hydraulic steering, the hydraulic brake, or the hydraulic clutch—all of which, like the lift that holds everything up, take advantage of the way liquids act under pressure. Somewhat like a pulley or a lever, a hydraulic system magnifies the effect of moderate pressure exerted over a longer distance into powerful energy for a shorter distance.

Examples of hydraulic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Max slid off a runway in Houston, and a United Boeing 777 trailed hydraulic fluid leaving Sydney. Pete Muntean, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Each show is a huge production, featuring three stages, hydraulic platforms, pyrotechnics, smoke machines, fireworks, lasers, handmade costumes, fifteen dancers, four backing vocalists and a live band. Howard Murphy, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024 Those cars provide a comfortable ride despite their low-profile high-performance tires thanks to the hydraulic suspension. Dan Carney, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024 The tender sits aft on the owner’s deck and can be moved about by a hydraulic crane. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024 The initial recall fix had involved Ford updating parts in the vehicles and inspecting them to check the connection between the power steering pressure line and the hydraulic brake booster unit to prevent a sudden loss of power steering fluid, according to NHTSA. Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024 Unlike with hydraulic mills, windmill ownership was not regulated during medieval times, so ownership of these machines was not limited to those with royal power, experts said. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 Blame it on the computers The hydraulic suspension is computer controlled, and there is the ability to switch between a stiff setting and a soft setting. Dan Carney, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024 Some of the changes were already in the works for the second Starship launch before April, including electric thrust vector controls to replace the hydraulic steering system used on the first Starship test flight. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hydraulic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin hydraulicus, from Greek hydraulikos, from hydraulis hydraulic organ, from hydr- + aulos reed instrument — more at alveolus

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydraulic was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near hydraulic

Cite this Entry

“Hydraulic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydraulic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hydraulic

adjective
hy·​drau·​lic hī-ˈdrȯ-lik How to pronounce hydraulic (audio)
1
: operated, moved, or brought about by means of water
2
: of or relating to hydraulics
hydraulic engineer
3
: operated by pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid is forced through a small hole or through a tube
hydraulic brakes
4
: hardening or setting under water
hydraulic cement
hydraulically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on hydraulic

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